Peru Travel Forum

Hello all. I will be travelling to Lima in about two weeks and I am looking for a safe but relatively cheap hostel or hotel. I would prefer a double (as I will be travelling with the fiance) with a private bath anywhere in the price range of $25 to 40 a night. I have been searching online and reading Lonely Planet but from previous travelling I have found that the best suggestions come from other travellers.

I will only be staying in Lima for 2 or 3 nights and then catching a flight to Puerto Maldonado so any suggestions for places to stay in Puerto Maldonado would also be appreciated!

For past trips I have spent hours researching online for best places to stay, sights, etc. but unfortunately I will not have the time to do that for this trip. Thanks!

Does anybody know a tour operator called "Viajes Sol y Dunas" in Ica and Lima? I may book a short trip with them in Paracas-Ica-Nazca and would like to know if somebody has experience with them.Thanks,Musikest

Going to be playing some tennis in Trujillo and was curious what the best/cheapest way to get there was.

We will be starting our trip in Rio. Should we buy roundtrip tickets from Rio to Lima?
Should we fly Lima to Trujillo or drive?
Should we buy tickets before coming to South America or buy them in the country?
Thank you for your time.

Hello

When does the airport in Lima open, and when should we arrive in order to have enough time to catch the flight.
We don't want to arrive at closed doors or gates

Thanks

Hey everybody,

I've got 5-7 days to bus down to Santiago from Huacachina. Does anyone have any good recommendations on where to stop on the way down? I will probably see Arequipa for a day and I'll probably stop in the Atacama desert for a day as well. Is it difficult to find reliable busses from place to place like this on the way down? Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated!

Happy Trails

Hello everyone,

We are planning a 2 day trip to the Colca Canyon at the end of May. Can anyone suggest an itinerary for a 2 day trip from Arequipa? I am not sure if we should stay 2 nights or one night. We like to do this with out a tour. is that possiblle.
Any recommendations on hotels, food, sites would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

There are 2-5 of us traveling to Cusco/Machu Picchu in mid-August. We would prefer to remain independent rather than traveling as part of a tour group. We are thinking of spending Wednesday in Cusco, Thursday in the Sacred Valley, Friday at Machu Picchu, and returning to Cusco/Lima on Saturday. We would like to spend nights in Cusco (Wednesday), Pisac or Ollantaytambo (Thursday), and Aguas Calientes (Friday). Where can I find information on buses or taxis between Cusco and the Sacred Valley?? I know we can take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. Also, is it possible to hire a guide for Machu Picchu without being part of a tour?

Hello guys,
I'm sure this question has probably been asked thousands of times however you will have to bear with me as I ask it again!

We are travelling From Chile up into Peru in July and are wondering which is the best way to cross the border?
I know flying is the simplest however it is also the most expensive.
Are there trains that run from Peru into Chile?
How are the buses that run across the border?
Is there a place where you can get across the border in a taxi?

Sorry to bombard you with questions!
I look forward to your replies,
Many Thanks.

My girlfriend & I are going to Peru for a month and are interested in visiting the Amazon to see as much wildlife as possible. We have been told that the Manu Reserve is the best place for wildlife.

Manu Nature Tours, http://www.manuperu.com/, has said that they have space for us but online reviews have had negative things to say about their services. These reviews are from 2002 and 2005. Has anyone had experience with this expedition agency, recent or old? Are their guides familiar with the area and good at spotting wildlife? Do they have good accommodations?

If you have suggestions of alternative Amazon destinations that could also be helpful.

Any feedback would be great help,

aumber

I am planning my trip to Machu Picchu for early September and am wondering if it is worth spending the night in Aguas Calientes before I explore the ruins. I've read that it's not worth spending much time in Aguas Calientes, so don't plan that. I was thinking of going spending the night, explore the ruins, then take the train back to Cusco that evening. Do you believe it is worth spending the night so that I can get up early and beat most of the crowds to the ruins? Are the buses or other transport operating before the trains arrive from Cusco? Any advice would be much appreciated!

Cheers!

I am planning to get engaged in Machu Pichu. What recomendations would you give me? Is there a specific place I should pop the question? Can I take a Champagne Bottle with me? Please give me as much advice as possible. This will happen in 2 weeks and I don't have a plan of what to do once i get there....

My 19 year old son has asked to travel to Lima to visit a friend he met during his first year in college. Having lived in Venezuela during the late 70's and again in the late 90's, I wonder how it compares? Is Peru "american" friendly and safe? Is kidnapping prevelent? Should I be concerned for his safety, or is Peru (Lima) an okay place to visit for a 19 year old student without parental supervision?

Rhonda Brewer

I would like your opinion on this itinerary for two weeks in Peru. We are limited on cash and would like to know if there is anything to add or switch around. Things with dates are already booked so there is no changing them. Please help, any advise would be wonderful.

Day 1:
8:00 PM Bus from Boston, MA to New York, NY
6:20 AM New York, NY to Quito, Ecuador
6:15 PM leave Quito, Ecuador to Lima, Peru
8:30 PM arrive in Lima
Hostel Stay in Lima

Day 2:
5:40 AM Lima, Peru to Cusco, Peru
Event Hatunrumiyok
Event Museo de Arte Precolobino
Event Qoricancha
Event Calles Loreto
Hostel Stay in Cusco

Day 3:
8:00 AM Taxi from Cusco to Pisac
Event:Artisans' Market
Event:Inca ruins above Pisac
8:00 PM Taxi from Pisac to Urubamaba/Yucay
Hostel in Urubamba/Yucay

Day 4:
Event: Fortress Ruins
Event: Salineras de Maras
Event: Old Town
Bus/Taxi from Urubamaba/Yucay to Ollantaytambo
Bus Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
Hostel stay in Aguas Calientes

Day 5:
Event: Huayna Picchu peak
Event: Machu Picchu
Bus very early morn. Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Hostal stay in Aguas Calientes

Day 6:
Train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
Event: Cathedral
Event: Plaza de Armas
Event: Sacsayhuaman
Event: Santa Catalina Convent
Hostel stay in Cusco

Day 7:
Flight from Cusco to Puerto Maladonado
Event: Jungle (2day/1night, tour)
Stay at a jungle lodge

Day 8:
Event: Jungle
Flight evening from Puerto Maladonado to Cusco

Day 9:
Scenic train from Cusco to Puno/Lake Titicaca
Hostel stay in Puno

Day 10:
Event: Lake Titicaca/Floating Islands
Homestay on Taquile/Amantani (2day/1night, tour)

Day 11:
Hostel stay in Puno
Event: Lake Titicaca/Floating Islands

Day 12:
Event: Plaza de Armas
Event: Monasterio de Santa Catalina
Hostel stay in Arequipa
Bus from Puno to Arequipa

Day 13:
Event: Colca Canyon (Colca trip booked through tour)
Hostel stay in Chivay

Day 14:
Event: Cruz del Condor
Event: Colca Canyon
Fly from Arequipa to Lima in the evening
Hostel stay in Lima

Day 15:
Event: Museo de la Nacion
Event: Museo Arqueologico Rafael Larco Herrera
Event: Cathedral
Event: Museo de Arte Colonial Pedro de Osma
Hostel stay in Lima

Day 16:
3:55 PM Lima, Peru to San Jose, Costa Rica
7:35 PM San Jose, Costa Rica to New York, NY

Day 17:
4:30 AM Bus from New York, NY to Boston, MA

Hi All,

Thank you for all your advice on my previous question. Im in a bit of a dilemna now as I just found out that by getting my yellow fever vaccine tomorrow, by the time I arrive Im short of the 10 day wait and will be in Iquitos for 2-3 days without coverage. The doctor was very alarmed and said it would be a big mistake to not change my ticket and go later because of the 50% chance of death if it is contracted. But my ticket is v expensive to change so Im wondering if anyone knows what the risks are at the moment and whether I should just go anyway?

Thanks a tonne

Hello Everyone,

we are a group of 9PAX that are trying to decide between flying from Puno (Juliaca) to Cuzco wich takes about 45 minutes or going by train on Perurail Andean Explorer train (takes about 8 hours).

Personally I think that the train trip must be worth the time because of the ceneray.... but is it really that good?? Some of my friends don't know if it's woth the time.

Can someone please help?

Thanks!

In Lima now 04/22/2008 and still having trouble with getting around and finding things to do.

My local Peruvian friend is unable to play tour guide because of work demands so I am not sure where to head out to and explore. SO if anyone is living here or visiting the same time I am here for the next 10 days and you want to team up and explore please let me know.
russ.sincity@yahoo.com

I am in the process of trying to plan where to go, what to see, and where to stay on when going from Lima to Arequipa by bus. I want to make sure that I don't miss anything that I should see just because I'm not sure or on the fence about it. Pisco and the islas Ballestas. On the fence about them leaning towards a yes. Ica / Huacachina sandboarding, yes always wanted to try this. Nazca and the nazca lines don't seem very interesting to me but I could be persuaded otherwise (I'd hate to miss something that is worth seeing but for some unknown bias I'm not interested in. I'm open to the fact that I am often wrong and also that travel is about expanding your worldview. not reinforcing your preexisting biases.)

So, I guess my questions are: What sights, places?

How is the best way to accomplish this? Packages, price it all out seperatly, get a travel agent in Peru etc.. Noolb (did I spell that right?) had some handy advice on transportion.

Any recomendations about accomidations? I tend to like to stay in hostels where I can meet people (I am traveling alone). Saftey is worth paying a few extra bucks for. I am not opposed to staying places with bars (I like a drink now and again).

Sorry such a long and convoluted set of questions. Please don't feel like you have to answer them all.
Thanks

Hi

Does anyone know what the cheapest flight from peru to europe (one-way) is??
On a very strict budget.

Thank you

Hi,

can anyone tell me if there are any direct flights from Puno to Cuzco? What is the company? We're booked on a PeruRail train, but it will take 10 hours to get to Cuzco.

Thanks,

Michael

I have been fortunate at my job to befreind several Peruvians. Many of them have invited me to stay with them and their families (parents, they are college students mostly). I'd love to stay with them but don't want to be a bother or nusciance or overstay my welcome. The offer also comes from the student not the parent. Also, I don't want to turn down the offer and cause offence. Some of them have offered up their places for as much as a week. I am also aware that the possibility exists of me being more dependent than somebody who is fluent in the language and thus more of a pain that a regular houseguest. Any thoughts or suggestions?

I am also curious about gifts (most of the people are fairly affluent) or other social customs I should be aware of.

Thanks

Hi,

I'm going to be traveling with a group of friends to Peru for about 1 week. We will be spending a day in Lima and wanted to know if anyone can suggest a great restaurant with a great view of the Pacific Ocean where we can eat some delicious Peruvian cuisine for lunch?

Thanks,

Michael

It is the first time I will be in Puno. Can someone advise me about hostels, restaurants and nice places, such as landscapes.
I also need information about the Uros Island and I want to cross to Bolivia. I just will be 4 days, will fly from Lima to Puno next Wednesday 23th.

SANDRO

Hi,
I am thinking about studying Spanish in Cusco for a few weeks. However, I am DEATHLY afraid of cockroaches, especially the big ones. Are there alot of them in Cusco? Do they fly?
I know it is a silly fear because they can't hurt me but for some reason they paralyze me with terror.

Gracias a todos!
Dove

I am hoping to travel to Peru in early 2009.

Would like to have an idea of costs of meals in a typical Peruvian restaurant.

I'm thinking of traveling from arequipa to cusco on the night bus via cruz del sur. I've read in the travel guides and some forums that it is NOT safe to travel by night. I'm alone. Can anyone advise?

Im flying into Cuzco next month, but I have a fairly long layover in Lima at night. Im scheduled to arrive in Lima at about 10:30pm but my flight to Cuzco departs at 5:40am.

It doesnt seem worth it to get a hotel room just for a few hours and I'd rather just wait it out in the airport if thats possible, but never having been there before I dont know what the facility is like. Will I be able to sit there with a book or maybe catch a couple hours of sleep in the airport?

Thanks in advance.

Can we drive to Aguas Caliente? If not where is the closest point we can leave our vehicle. Thank you. Terry Smith

I'm in need of a hotel or hostel in Cusco and looking for some advice / recomendations. The people I am meeting there (old freinds) have booked at the Royal Inca ($85/night) before the Inca trail and Royal Inca Pisac ($59 / night)after. Is this a good deal / bad deal? All I really need is safe place to sleep that is somewhat clean. Is there a good backpackers hotel/hostel that somebody has used. One thing that I do need is a secure place to keep my stuff while I am doing the Inca trail. Budget is important but a really memorable place to stay is worth it too. Suggestions? Also, if there is somewhere nearby worth staying a night or two that would be a possibilty for after the Inca Trail.
Thanks

I'm arranging a tour through Lima for a professor that is lecturing there. He will be there for 5 days, and needs a translator (english/spanish). If anyone has an idea of what a fair daily rate would be, I would greatly appreciate your advice.

Thanks

During the planning of my trip i've made contact with a local travel agency in order to guarantee some things i need before arriving in Peru (for example, tickets for the VistaDome train to MP).

The name of the agency is "Peru Hands On" (www.peruhandson.com).

Does anyone have any information on this local agency...?

Any good or bad experiences...?

Thank you!